A second and then a third officer were sent to him, with a like result, and at last he himself left his cavalry and rode to the duke and inquired: "How am I to go on ?" The duke curbed his anger at seeing the fruits of victory lost.

He replied quietly: "My lord, the opportunity is now past." Harassed only by the fire of the British and Hanoverian guns, and by that of the British infantry, Contades drew off his army by the nineteen bridges into his stronghold.

Broglio, who had done nothing save keep up a cannonade, covered the retreat with his division.
The total amount of loss on the duke's side was two thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, of which more than half belonged to the British infantry.

The French loss was seven thousand and eighty-six, with their heavy guns and many flags; but had Sackville done his duty, their army would have been annihilated, pent up as it was with the river on each flank, convergent to each other at Minden; a perfect rat trap from which no army could have escaped, had it been hotly pressed by cavalry.
The feat performed by the British infantry astonished Europe, who were at first almost incredulous that six regiments in line could have repulsed, over and over again, and finally driven off the field, ten thousand of the best cavalry of France.
While the battle was raging, the Hereditary Prince had done his share of the work, had fallen upon Gohfeld, crushed the French division guarding it, cutting the French from their magazines and rendering their position untenable.

They received the news that evening, and at once commenced their retreat, Broglio towards Frankfort and Contades straight for the Rhine.